The Friends of St Mary's
| Sept 2003 New playground equipment |
The Friends offers all parents a way to help and support their children's school, and to take an active role in school life. We are always looking for new supporters to join the committee or help out at the various events which are put on throughout the year.
The committee meets around 5 or 6 times a year, and has an AGM in October.
As a registered charity with its own constitution, the Friends' major rôle is to raise funds -which enable the school to offer extra opportunities for the children. In recent years the money raised by the Friends has been spent on staging, audio equipment, sports equipment and music resources. In addition money from the Friends allows the school to enhance the curriculum by offering an extra dimension such as a poetry day or an educational outing.
In the academic year 2000-200 we were able to purchase outdoor games equipment, PE equipment for the lower school and games for wet playtimes - as well as giving a large donation towards playground improvements, which enabled the school to receive a price-matched grant from central funds.
But the Friends is not just a fund-raising group. Our events support and celebrate the wider school community, providing social events which are enjoyed across the school. A good example of this is the Christmas Fair, where the Friends, parents, staff and pupils come together to produce a popular event which is also a good money raiser.
Other events which were organised in 2000-2001 included a quiz night for parents, the year 6 disco, a puppet show for the infants, a sports morning involving football and orienteering competitions and a beetle drive.
A number of these events have already been scheduled for 2001-2002. Dates are listed in the school diary.
An important service run by the Friends is the secondhand uniform shop which offers parents the opportunity to buy used school uniform at discount prices and, at the same time, contribute to school funds.
If you are interested in joining the committee, or helping out at events - or if you simply wish to find out more about the work of the Friends - please contact:
Richard Moverley (Chairman of the Friends)
21 Molescroft Road
Tele: (01482) 882461
